BRIDGEWATER, NJ - With the political climate of today, and the concerns over threats of a Muslim registry and reports of hate crimes, one national group is looking to get communication going between all kinds of people - and the group held its first nationwide vigil, with one in Martinsville, Feb. 16.

The Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom held 100 vigils across the country, including one at Christ Presbyterian Church, on Washington Valley Road, to raise voices in prayer and song through gatherings led by Muslim and Jewish women of the organization.

The idea for the vigil was developed at the beginning of February by Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom founder Sheryl Olitzky. The organization itself was started four years ago to bring Jews and Muslims together to have discussions.

“People need unity to reassure ourselves we’re together,” said Pam Mahmoud, co-leader of the Somerset and Hunterdon chapter of the organization. “We are bringing song, poetry and liturgy together, and we had no idea how many people would come.”

The vigil, which was attended by around 50 people, included Muslim prayers, Hebrew songs and more, and featured Rabbi Ron Isaacs, rabbi emeritus of Temple Sholom in Bridgewater, and Yasser Abdelkader, president of the Al Falah Center of Bridgewater.

“I hope this becomes an example for everyone to let go of stereotypes and embrace the beauty that comes from working together and the collaboration of all backgrounds,” Abdelkader said. “This really enforces and strengthens the ties between all of the communities, and shows the spirit and solidarity between all people.”

Mahmoud said she hopes guests understand from the vigil that people are not alone, despite all the attacks that have occurred lately, from a mosque burned down in Texas to recent bomb threats at Jewish Community Centers across the country.

“Since the election in November, the organization has been inundated with people requesting to be part of it,” she said.

Chapter co-leader Jodi Bogen said that at the recent conference for the Sisterhood, they all took a vow that if there was a Muslim registry, as has been discussed by President Donald Trump, they would all register on the list.

“The more we get to know each other, the more we realize how much we have in common.” she said.

Bogen said they kicked off the Somerset and Hunterdon chapter of the organization, with third co-leader Randi Schweriner, in May.

“As we went through the political season, it became more meaningful,” Bogen said. “This was the right time.”

Isaacs, who played guitar and led the vigil in song, said the vigil was a special experience.

“It’s literally the first time in my life I have been involved in a prayer vigil that brings Jews and Muslims together, and it felt very spiritual,” he said. “Because of what is going on in the world, this was a nice thing to do and very prayerful. It had a lot of people feeling good.”

Rev. Susan Joseph Rack, of the Christ Presbyterian Church, said she was very pleased to be asked to host this vigil.

“This is in the vein of what we always want to do for the community,” she said. “It is a place where people who are different can come and feel safe.”

Guests at the vigil sang along to the prayers and read the poems together in solidarity during the evening event.

“It was awesome, and everyone came together like a family,” said Flemington resident Rehana Dhaha, who attended the vigil as a guest. “We all blended together.”

Zarmeen Hussain, also of Flemington, agreed.

“I liked the fusion (of prayers and song),” she said. “The way they did the program, we were all in sync.”

NORTH PLAINFIELD, NJ - The North Plainfield Police Department is requesting assistance from the public in the identification of an auto theft suspect from North Plainfield Nissan.

The theft of a 2016 Cadillac Escalade occurred on May 20, at 3:30am. police said. The suspect entered the Nissan dealership hours earlier to test drive the vehicle and video shows the suspect arriving in ...

WARREN, NJ - Two parents took the opportunity for public commentary at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Watchung Hills Board of Education to express concern about a book in the senior English curriculum.

The book at issue is Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic, a 2006 graphic memoir by the American cartoonist Alison Bechdel.

HOPEWELL, NJ - The Watchung Hills boys golf team won the NJSIAA Group 4 Tournament of Champions with a 311 and came in second overall to Christian Brothers Academy, who won top spot for the second year in a row with a 297, on Monday at the Hopewell Valley Golf Club.

Watchung Hills took top public school honors sharing the overall second place with ...

ANNANDALE, NJ - Revenge is sweet for the Warriors. Mike Recenello went 3-for-4 with two RBI and Matt Alarcon went 2-for-3 with two RBI to lead the Watchung Hills baseball team over North Hunterdon in the first round of the North Jersey Section 2, Group 4 tournament on Monday, 8-6.

Earlier in the season, the Warriors lost to North Hunterdon, 12-4 on April 4.

WARREN, NJ - Different is not synonymous with deficient and autism does not need to be cured, a Warren Middle School student told the Warren Township Board of Education at its meeting on Monday, May 21.

Johannes Wellerding, an eighth grade student at Warren Middle School, took the opportunity for public commentary at Monday night’s Board of Education meeting to ...

Please join the Hanson Park Conservancy on Saturday, June 23rd for Bee Day at Hanson Park! At 2:00 PM Grant Stiles from Stiles Honey will be sharing his knowledge of bees with his presentation, “Fundamentals of Beekeeping and the Importance of Honey Bees in Our Society.” Bring your blankets and chairs and enjoy the beautiful surroundings as Mr. Stiles answers all of your ...

BELMAR, NJ — Two Belmar specialty eateries have made the national food-hopping map. Coney Waffle Ice Cream and Sweet Shop on Ocean Avenue and Hoagitos in Belmar Plaza are featured this month on television shows touting what makes them stand out from the rest.

The over-the-top ice cream creations of Coney Waffle are in the spotlight in Viceland’s “The Ice Cream Show” in ...

BRIDGEWATER, NJ - So close. The Watchung Hills boys lacrosse team fell to Bridgewater-Raritan, in overtime, as the Panthers won a fourth-straight Somerset County Tournament title on Saturday, 5-4, at the Torpey Athletic Complex.

Watchung Hills took an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter with goals from Gavin DeFuria, Connor James, and Joe Rica.

NEWARK, NJ – Five individuals including a Hillsborough resident were sentenced Friday for bribing doctors in exchange for test referrals as part of a long-running and elaborate scheme operated by Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services LLC (BLS), of Parsippany, its president and numerous associates, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

NORTH PLAINFIELD, NJ - All are invited to the 2018 North Plainfield Middle School Holocaust/Genocide Open House on Thursday, May 17 at 6 p.m. Students and staff will be on hand to serve as docents for a unique exhibit.

It is a museum in a school, created by the school, constructed by the school and for everyone in the community. featuring over 400 posters, memorabilia and artifacts ...

BRIDGEWATER, NJ - So close. The Watchung Hills boys lacrosse team fell to Bridgewater-Raritan, in overtime, as the Panthers won a fourth-straight Somerset County Tournament title on Saturday, 5-4, at the Torpey Athletic Complex.

Watchung Hills took an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter with goals from Gavin DeFuria, Connor James, and Joe Rica.

PARKLAND, FL - Parkland Cares will hold a Charity Golf Tournament on Thursday, May 17 at Parkland Golf & Country Club, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Jason Taylor Reading Room and Parkland Cares. The event is presented by Steven Douglas and former NFL player and Hall of Famer Jason Taylor will be in attendance.

BELMAR, NJ — Two Belmar specialty eateries have made the national food-hopping map. Coney Waffle Ice Cream and Sweet Shop on Ocean Avenue and Hoagitos in Belmar Plaza are featured this month on television shows touting what makes them stand out from the rest.

The over-the-top ice cream creations of Coney Waffle are in the spotlight in Viceland’s “The Ice Cream Show” in ...

SUMMIT, NJ – The Summit Playhouse provides a stellar production of a much loved classic, “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

The Harper Lee novel, later a Gregory Peck film and now a stage production, retains all the warmth, intensity and integrity that made it such an appealing hit in the 1960s. And there will be a new production on Broadway in December with a script by Aaron Sorkin ...